Wednesday, September 17, 2008 was the beginning of my journey to stillness. I started my first yoga class. Needless to say I was extremely scared. There was a lack of confidence in my ability to move my body and many misperceptions about what yoga really was. Looking back now, I wonder why.
My acupuncturist, Michael Balshaw, thought yoga might help with my digestive and all-over stress related problems. His wife, Camilla, was teaching the class. Camilla immediately put me at ease, but I had a hard time keeping up with the other students. I'm sure I hardly even breathed. Then at the end of the first class I was supposed to lie down on my mat, close my eyes, breathe and be still. What? Be still? You must be kidding! I tried and tried to still my mind, but the thoughts wouldn't turn off.
Camilla talked softly to the class, trying to help us all learn to be still, not only in body, but mind also. Ten minutes seemed like an eternity. Class was over and somehow I made it to the end without making too much of a fool of myself. Walking home that night, I felt a slight spring in my step. Could I really do this? Yoga, I mean? Too late, I already paid for the whole semester. This blog is my journey.
